12 Magically Brilliant Things To Do In Edinburgh This December

December is here, and it is officially okay to decorate your Christmas tree. With the Christmas markets remaining open for the month and the city coming to life just in time for Christmas, many fascinating activities are taking place throughout the Scottish capital. So, grab your mulled wines because we've compiled an incredible list of fantastic things to do in Edinburgh this December.

Indulge in beautiful drinks at the newly renovated Copper Blossom.

Copper Blossom is the place to go for those searching for truly good cocktails and stylish design. The spot, which reopened at the end of November with a whole new look, now offers a whole new level of cocktails and small meals great for sharing. Furthermore, Copper Blossom invites guests to a small Christmas feast, starting at £23.95 for a two-course lunch Monday through Wednesday and £28.95 the remainder of the week.

Enjoy a vintage Candlelight Christmas Special.

This Christmas season, make merry and immerse yourself in the holiday spirit by listening to seasonal music expertly performed under dazzling candlelight. The concert will feature a special performance of our favorite Christmas movie soundtracks, such as Home Alone and Love Actually, with a string quartet providing an excellent reproduction of the iconic compositions. The event will take place at Nicholson Square on December 16 and 21. You can reserve your tickets here.

Visit the Christmas Light Trail in the Botanics.

Christmas at the Botanics returns for another year, and this season, along with Edinburgh favorites like the tunnel of shimmering lights, the colorful projection onto the facade of Inverleith House, and the mesmerizing Christmas Cathedral, exciting new light projects will be unveiled throughout. The one-mile trail is open from November 16 to December 30, sending visitors on a delightful trip filled with holiday cheer and childish wonder. Last year, Christmas at the Botanics drew approximately 90,000 visitors, and the path is sure to be popular again this year.

Play your favorite old games and enjoy themed cocktails at this

The good old days have returned at NQ64 Edinburgh, an arcade gaming bar with all the nostalgic vibes and more: from classic arcade games to old-school consoles, the neon-lit venue is a pure delight. NQ64 Edinburgh, located on Lothian Road near Usher Hall, transports visitors to another era with its time capsule-inspired bar design. The space is littered with arcade games, and there's even a separate room for Guitar Hero. Furthermore, one of the most enjoyable aspects of NQ64 is the ability to sip on unique, game-themed drinks while competing with a friend. You don't need to book; simply show up, buy some tokens, and you're set to go; however, they are now accepting Christmas bookings.

Check out the new speakeasy pub in town.

Encore, a Moulin Rouge-inspired late-night speakeasy bar within the Parisian-style West End Brasserie restaurant, will open in December. Guests may expect a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere with live music and shows. Try the Bohemian-style cocktail menu, which will take tourists back to the French capital's most historic neighborhoods.

Go to watch one of the most famous musicals of all time.

The award-winning musical Wicked will return to Edinburgh Playhouse for six weeks, from Tuesday, December 7, 2023, until Sunday, January 14, 2024. The world-famous West End and Broadway musical portrays the astonishing hidden story of the Witches of Oz, based on Gregory Maguire's novel. Wicked imagines the past and future possibilities of beloved characters from The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and the actions and events determining the fates of two unlikely university companions on their path to becoming Glinda The Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.

Dine beneath a realistic aurora borealis light show at Tattu Edinburgh.

This winter, snow will fall on Tattu Edinburgh's oriental wonderland, and the restaurant's cherry blossoms will shimmer and sparkle alongside projections of the Arctic sky on the walls, creating an immersive dining experience known as The Great Snow this holiday season. Tattu will bring winter to Edinburgh this December, sans the cold, and allow tourists to step into an enchanted winter scene and be transported to China's northernmost point, Mohe, also known as China's 'Arctic Village'. You can expect to be completely immersed in the Northern Lights while enjoying a celebratory supper, and the restaurant's wall art will come to life with a magnificent display of The Aurora Borealis.

Visit all the beautiful Christmas markets Edinburgh has on offer.

As this is the first year in a long time that the festivities are in full swing, the excitement for the approaching season can be felt as you walk through the streets of Edinburgh. The nostalgic traditions of Christmas markets, which return year after year, put us in the holiday mood while giving us something to look forward to during the dreary days. While the major Edinburgh Christmas market is a must-see, there are many other delightful Christmas markets throughout the city. As usual, the main market will be held on Princes Street, West Princes Street Gardens, and George Street from November 17 to January 6.

Other markets worth seeing include the Jupiter Christmas Fair at Jupiter Artland on December 3 and 4, the Leith Christmas Brewery Market on December 17 and 18, and the Leith Witchcraft Market on December 10. To see our list of the greatest Christmas markets in Edinburgh, click here.

Experience Edinburgh Castle in a whole new light with this stunning light trail.

Castle of Light: A Kingdom of Colours will add a new dimension to the famed Edinburgh landmark with a cheery light trail throughout the castle grounds. Castle of Light will be open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from November 24 to January 3, excluding Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day. Throughout the 60-minute light trail, spectators will see the Magic and Mystery theme, which includes kaleidoscope patterns on St Margaret's Chapel.

Join a Queen-themed bingo rave.

The famed Bongo's Bingo is staging festive Queen-themed Bongo's Will Rock You performances at Edinburgh's 02 Academy. If you've never been to a bingo rave, it's exactly what it sounds like: pandemonium meets organized rebellion in the guise of an honest bingo game. Guests can expect all of Queen's biggest hits, a plethora of all-time Christmas classics, outrageous prizes, and dance-offs. The remaining dates for December are December 21, 30, and New Year's Eve, allowing ravers to end the year in style with Bongo's Bingo.

Toast to Hogmanay at one of the world's best New Year's festivities.

It's official: Edinburgh Hogmanay returns with the legendary Street Party to ring in 2024 with a boom in the city centre. Expect DJ soundtracks, large screens, funfair attractions, and a full menu of street food and drink throughout the arena. Furthermore, the event will attract approximately 40,000 guests worldwide, so arrive early!

Enjoy a superb festive dinner at Gordon Ramsay's Bread Street Kitchen.

Gordon Ramsay Bread Street Kitchen & Bar is the ideal destination for all your meat, dessert, and drink cravings. Bread Street Kitchen & Bar, located on St Andrew Square, is a place of effortless splendor, where classic British cuisine meets current unique touches. If you're there for the signature Beef Wellington experience or to sample the huge chunks, the amounts are enormous and designed to be shared. However, the restaurant is also providing holiday dinners this December. Enjoy a three-course festive set menu for £40 per person, which includes a traditional roast turkey. Festive cocktails are also available, such as the Cognac Mulled Wine (Martell VS Cognac, winter spices, mulled red wine) and the Christmas Peach (Monkey 47 Black Forest Gin, Peach Liqueur, orange, and cranberry).